FFA put Tinkler on notice

Football Federation Australia bosses have met with key staff at Newcastle Jets and have examined the club’s operating position today, putting Jets owner Nathan Tinkler on notice regarding running the club.

Tinkler has stated he wants to play a more active role in the club as Jets’ Chairman.

This follows the resignation of CEO Robbie Middleby and Chairman Ray Baartz last week.

It’s somewhat of a back-flip given Tinkler’s statement of five months ago saying he wanted to sell the Jets and “get them out the door”.

But Head of the Hyundai A-League Damien de Bohun said today there were “serious” concerns about the Jets’ off-field structure and stressed the importance of Tinkler running the club in a professional manner.

“After looking closely at situation, we still have serious concerns about the stability and sustainability of the Jets in the current circumstances,” he said.

“I’ve spoken to Nathan Tinkler today and he agrees the current situation is not acceptable.

“Nathan has made undertakings to take a hands-on approach, to inject capital and lift the professional skills of club management, but we need to see changes happen quickly and we need to see a long-term plan that’s workable.

“We will work with the club on the immediate priorities. Top of the list are tangible moves to stabilise the club’s operations.”

Tinkler has publicly criticized fans in recent days following the departure of Middleby.

There have also been reports of debts owed to the local federation and funding issues with the Jets' development programs and Westfield W-League side. It's a worrying situation for the one-time Hyundai A-League Champions back in 2008.

However Tinkler has said coach Phil Stubbins’ job with the struggling Jets is safe.

“It’s critical to renew the relationships with key stakeholders,” added de Bohun.

“FFA is not the only that needs to be satisfied that the Jets are in fact on a new path.

“The relationships with club members, fans, Northern NSW Football, the local football community and the business community of the Hunter Valley are paramount.

“A club must be engaged in its community. They need to have certainty about the way forward and they need to feel part of the club.”